Mother inspired by My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding has splurged THOUSANDS on her daughter's birthday parties - and has even turned her hobby into a booming party planning business

  • Liyah Londyn, from South London, has thrown some incredible parties 
  • Daughter Skylar-Rose had a Minnie Mouse-themed do and Wild West party 
  • Liyah has now turned her hobby into a full-time business  

A mother inspired by TV's My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding has lavished thousands of pounds on extravagant parties for her five-year-old daughter - complete with rodeo bulls and ponies in fancy dress.

Liyah Londyn's parties have been so highly praised that she's turned her hobby into a money-making business.

Birthday bashes for Liyah's daughter, Skylar-Rose, have included a no expense spared Minnie Mouse-themed do - complete with a bouncy castle, candyfloss, popcorn and doughnut machines and a string of entertainers - as well as a Wild West party for her third birthday.

Liyah, 31, of Thornton Heath, south London, said: 'I absolutely love organising children's parties. The lavishness of it all is brilliant – the more OTT, the better.'

Liyah Londyn, 31, from South London, has thrown an array of lavish parties for her daughter Skylar-Rose, five. They have been so highly praised that she's turned her hobby into a money-making business

Liyah Londyn, 31, from South London, has thrown an array of lavish parties for her daughter Skylar-Rose, five. They have been so highly praised that she's turned her hobby into a money-making business

Not only does her daughter wear bespoke outfits, specially made for the occasion, but she is also treated to a DJ, gourmet catering and sumptuous décor.

'I've always loved lavish, over-the-top décor,' admitted Liyah.

'I was so into My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding when it came out, and the huge parties they'd throw for their children.

'I love Pinterest, too, and use it for inspiration.'

After receiving endless compliments from other parents, whose children had not stopped chattering about their friend's amazing parties, last year Liyah, who previously worked in criminal justice, decided to make her hobby her meal ticket, and now runs her party planning business full-time.

Mostly, she finds customers through her Instagram page, @once_upon_a_party_events, or by word-of-mouth – exercising discretion by keeping the costs between her and each client private – and hoping, one day, to work with major celebrities.

Birthday bashes for Liyah's daughter, Skylar-Rose, have included a no expense spared Princess themed bash for her fifth birthday

Birthday bashes for Liyah's daughter, Skylar-Rose, have included a no expense spared Princess themed bash for her fifth birthday

She once enlisted a pony to dress up for one of Liyah's Frozen parties, complete with sparkly hooves

She once enlisted a pony to dress up for one of Liyah's Frozen parties, complete with sparkly hooves

Liyah said she was inspired to start throwing extravagant parties after watching My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding
Previous parties of Skylar-Rose's have featured ponies in fancy dress, rodeo bulls and bouncy castles

Liyah said she was inspired to start throwing extravagant parties after watching My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding

After seeing the lavish bashes thrown on American reality shows, she could not wait to hold a similar party for her own little girl. Pictured is the confectionary table at a Barbie themed party Liyah threw

After seeing the lavish bashes thrown on American reality shows, she could not wait to hold a similar party for her own little girl. Pictured is the confectionary table at a Barbie themed party Liyah threw

'I'd love to see where this goes and make my business bigger and bigger,' Liyah continued. 'One day, I want to be the go-to person for celebrities with parties to plan.

'There's a real culture and demand for this sort of thing now, thanks to social media and the world of celebrity.'

As soon as her daughter Skylar-Rose was born, in November 2012 Liyah - who has split from the youngster's dad although the pair remain firm friends - knew birthdays were going to be a big occasion.

After seeing the lavish bashes thrown on American reality shows, she could not wait to hold a similar party for her own little girl.

But, after struggling to find a company to plan it for her, she decided to do it all herself.

'I absolutely love doing it,' she said.

Liyah believes there's a real culture and demand for parties like this thanks to social media and the world of celebrity

Liyah believes there's a real culture and demand for parties like this thanks to social media and the world of celebrity

Over the years, Skylar-Rose has been the guest of honour at some incredible parties - including plenty of princess parties 

Over the years, Skylar-Rose has been the guest of honour at some incredible parties - including plenty of princess parties 

Liyah organised this wintry Frozen themed party for a little five-year-old girl 

Liyah organised this wintry Frozen themed party for a little five-year-old girl 

Over the years, Skylar-Rose has been the guest of honour at some incredible parties.

At her third birthday Wild West-themed do, with impressive attention to detail, Liyah arranged for a rodeo bull, a pony and a cowboy-themed bouncy castle.

When Skylar-Rose turned four, she threw her a jungle-themed bash in a nightclub, arranging for a DJ, two two-tiered cakes, huge animal balloons, face painters and gold party favours.

'It was a joint party for Skylar-Rose and her cousin. I absolutely transformed the inside of the club. It was like a jungle, but glam, with lots of diamantes. That's my signature look,' said Liyah.

Most recently, for her fifth birthday, the schoolgirl went for a Little Mermaid-themed party, where guests were treated to gem makeovers, a chocolate fountain, candyfloss and popcorn machines and games put on by a specially hired host and DJ.

Pictured is the cake table at a Christening party Liyah organised

Pictured is the cake table at a Christening party Liyah organised

For her second birthday, Skylar-Rose had a Minnie Mouse themed party

For her second birthday, Skylar-Rose had a Minnie Mouse themed party

Most recently, for her fifth birthday, the schoolgirl went for a Little Mermaid-themed party

Most recently, for her fifth birthday, the schoolgirl went for a Little Mermaid-themed party

Liyah goes to great lengths to ensure her parties have the midas touch. Pictured is a handmade Ken and Barbie photobooths 

Liyah goes to great lengths to ensure her parties have the midas touch. Pictured is a handmade Ken and Barbie photobooths 

The birthday girl's bespoke outfit, included a customised tutu and light up shoes, and her hair was professionally styled to look like a mermaid.

'I don't think Skylar-Rose has a favourite birthday. She still talks about them all, even now,' said Liyah.

'For me, it's just about creating as many amazing memories as possible. I'd have loved parties like this when I was a kid.'

In the past year, Liyah said she's 'got serious' about her business, and has now lost count of the amount of families she has helped.

Acting as a one-stop shop for parents, providing as much or as little help as they need to create a special day for their little ones, Liyah said: 'In some cases, I just do décor. In others, I'll take care of every last detail, even sending out invites, so all parents need to do is show up.

The parties often feature plenty of sweet treats - pictured is the confectionary station at Skylar-Rose's fifth birthday

The parties often feature plenty of sweet treats - pictured is the confectionary station at Skylar-Rose's fifth birthday

Discussing the bashes, she said: 'I don't mind what other parents do. If they want a low-key party at their house, that's fine'

Discussing the bashes, she said: 'I don't mind what other parents do. If they want a low-key party at their house, that's fine'

'It can be stressful organising something on that scale, but once you see mum and dad relax with a glass of wine in their hand, and the kids all running about, having fun, it makes it worth it.

'I want my parties to be for everyone, so I make sure there's plenty for the adults to do as well, so nobody is sitting around twiddling their thumbs.

'Whatever people ask for, I'll do my best to make happen for them. We had one lady recently throw a party where I organised to have a real-life mermaid perform in a pool. The pony I provide is always a big wow factor, too, as I can dress it up and paint its hooves.'

Luckily, Liyah has never faced any criticism from other parents for her extravagance.

She continued: 'Nobody has ever been nasty to my face, but if they were, I think everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

'I don't mind what other parents do. If they want a low-key party at their house, that's fine – same as if they wanted something really over-the-top. It's up to you what you do, and you know the best choices for your child.

'I must've spent thousands on Skylar-Rose's parties over the years, but it's worth every penny to see how much she loves them. She'll remember them for years to come.'

Pictured are the glitzy favours at a baby shower Liyah put together

Pictured are the glitzy favours at a baby shower Liyah put together


 

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